Machine for applying stamps and the like to packages or containers



G. W. GWINN AND1. W. LEARY. MACH|NE FOR APPLYING STAMPS AND THE UKE To PACKAGES OR'CONTAINERS.

APPLICATION FlLED 001110.19317.

.Patented A110'. 8s 1922.

SHEETS-SHEET I.

o45 Geary@ M/ar 6160/7227 Jme.; W. L eary,

G. W. GWINN AND1. W. LEARY. MACHINE ECN APPLYTNC STAMPS AND THE EINE To PACKAGES 0R CONTATNERS. APPLICATION FLED OCT-.10, 1917. jlpqgg@ PatentedAug. 89 1922;,

GSHEETS-SHEET 2.

74,13 Geary@ M/.ZZbur Gaf/'2212 (Jh/iles M Lezzry,

APPLICATION FILED OC I. 1917.

Patented Auw. 8, 1922,.

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G. W. GWINN AND l. W. LEARY.

MAcHlNE FOR APPLYING STAMPS AND ENE LIKE To PACKAGES 0R CONTAINERS.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 10. 1917.

Paend Aug. 8. 1929.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

C. W. GWINN ANDI. VV. I EARY.

MACHINE FOR APPLYING STAMPS AND THE LIKE T0 PACKAGES 0R CONTAINERS.

APPLICAIION FILED OCI I0. 1917.

Patented Au. 8, 1922..

6 SHEETS--SHEET 5.

G. W. GWINN AND-1. W. LEARY. MACHINE ECN APPLYING'STANPS AND THE LIKE To PACKAGES 0R CONTAINERS.

APPLICMION FILED OCE, I0. 1917.

Patened Auf. 89 1922i.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

UNHTID) STA ,i

@FFHCCO GEORGE WILEUR GWINN, or NEW YORK, N. Y., AND JAMES W. EEARY, or AELEN- DALE, NEW JERSEY, AssIGNORs To AUTOMATIC PACKING z LABE'LING COMPANY, 0E DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA, A CORPORATION OE NORTH CAROLTNA.

MACHINE FOR APPLYING 'STAMPS AN D THE LIKE TO PACKAGES OR CONTAINERS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Ang.. 8, i922.

Application filed October 10, 1917. Serial' No. 195,769.

To all whom it may concern.'

Be it known that we, GEORGE W. GwiNN,

a citizen of the United States, and resident' of New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, and JAMES W. LEARY, a citizen of the -United States, and resident of Allendale, in the county of lBergen and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Machines for Applying Stamps and the like to Packages or (containers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention pertains tov an improved machine for applying stamps or the like to packages, and more specifically to an improved means for applying revenue stamps to packages or containers filled with tobacco.

The main object of the invention is to provide means for expeditiously and with certainty placing stamps upon packages. Working in conjunction with said placing means are devices which present the packages to stamp placing means and thereafter clamp or press the central portion of the stamp against the package after which the stamp ends are wiped down, the stamps at the corners or edges of the packages thereafter being pinched or rolled closely to the package and finally the stamp ends are dried.

A still further object `is to provide a special form of stamp presenting and placing mechanism, wherein the stamps are pasted along one face and laid or stretched out on a supporting frame or table, which table is lthen so moved as to bring the stamp into line. with the oncoming package which `contacting with the stamp draws it from the table and then moves into cooperative position with means for carrying the stamp ends into contact. with the body of the package.

if'th these and otherv objects in view which will appeal' in the following description and having in mind that the term stamp is employed to include bands, labels` sealing strips and the like, reference is made to the drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view, taken centrally of the machine;

Fig. 2 a transverse sectional view 'on the line IIH of Fig. l. looking toward the stamp holder;

Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional View on the line IIIA- III of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a sectional elevation illustrating a portion of the driving mechanism and the stamp transferring support or table;

Fig. 5 is a sectional elevation of the same parts, the line of section being V-V of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a detail view of the stamp feeding mechanism the stamp being in a less advanced position from that illustrated in Fig. 5,'

Fig. 7 a horizontal sectional view of the stamp-transferring support or table showing a stamp being withdrawn therefrom by a forwardly moving package;

Fig. 8 a detail sectional view of one of the package clamps Or carriers;

Fig. 9 a plan view of the driving shafts and allied parts;

Fig. l() a detail View of the gearing employed to drive the stamp withdrawing rolls and the driving shafts for the combined paste applying and stamp extending or positioning belts;

Fig. 11 a detail view of the stamp guide and stripper and allied parts;

Fig. 12 a detail sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken on the line XII- XH of Fig. l; and Figure 13 a detailed view of a modiied form of the stamp transferring support or table.

In the drawings l denotes the bed or table which forms the support for the va- 'rious mechanisms. rThe main driving shaft 2 is supported in suitable hangers or brackets extending downwardly from the table and is provided with fast and loose pulleys 3 and 4, Fig. 9.

A counter shaft is arranged parallel to shaft 2 and an intermittent motion is imparted to shaft 5 through the actuating arm 6 which forms a. part of a Geneva movement the stop member wlireof is denoted by 7, and the actuated member by 8, the latter being pinned or otherwise made fast to shaft Shaft 2 also has secured to it a second actuator 9 and stop l0, which cooperate with a second actuated member 1l which is-loose upon shaft 5; The first Geneva movement. as noted, imparts a stepby-step movement to shaft 5 which motion in turn is transmitted to the stamp transfer table or mechanism, while the second -Geneva movement transmits a step-bylstep motion to the package carrier or package advancing means.

Said package advancing means in the form illustrated may be said to comprise an endless chain or carrier providedwith a series of package clamps or holders.

Located at either end of the table are shafts l2 and 13, Fig. l, a pair of laterally spaced sprocket or pocket wheels 14-14 and 15-15, respectively, being mounted thereon.

Vheels 15-15 are made fast to shaft 13 which likewise carries a sprocket about which passes a sprocket chain 1G, the lower bight of which passes about a sprocket secured or formed upon the hub 1T of the Geneva movement element ll, see. Fig. 9, which as before noted is loose upon shaft 5, being held in place by collars 18-19 pinned to shaft 5.

The endless package carrier in the form illustrated comprises a series of interconnected holders each having a fixed jaw and a movable clamping jaw with an intermediate package support. As will be seen upon reference to Figs. l, 2, 3, T and 8 the support 2O and the fixed jaw Q1 are formed integrally. the inner face of the jaw being slightly beveled and entering the countersunk adjacent end of the package designated by 22.

Extending downwardly from the. support 2() are two arms 23, each having a hub 24, Figs. 3. 7 and 8. A pin Z5-extends through said hubs and likewise through rollers 26. A second pair of arms 2T extend from the support 2O at the advancing end thereof and a clamping jaw having the shape of an elbow lever, the upper end 28 whereof forms the clamping jaw proper is fulcrumed upon a pin 2S) mounted in theI lower ends of said arms QT. The lower or inner end 30 of the lever carries a roller 3l which coacts with cams 32 and 33. Fig. l, as will be presently explaii'ied.

Clamping jaw 528 is urged toward the fixed jaw by a spring 34. see Fig. 8.

The various carriers are connected to each other by links 35, said links being connected in parallel pairs to pins 25 and 29, said pin 25) likewise carrying rollers 36 similar to rolls Q6.

Suitable tracks 3T, see more particularly Fig. 2. are mounted on. the upper face of the bed. in line with the rollers :2(3--26 and support the upper run of the carrier. Similar tracks fle are secured to brackets 'lfl project-l ing downwardly from thc under side ofthe table and extend the length thereof. Said tracks co-ol'ieratc with rails -lll also secured to brackets 3E) to hold and guide the lower run of thc carrier and cause thc rollers -ll to successively contact with cam to open mechanism shown in said figures, as will be hereinafter described, or by hand, as desired.

Guide rails l2. Figs. land 3, spaced apart a distance equal to the thickness of the package or slightly in excess thereof, extend from the point of intake to the point where the stamp is being applied at which time the clamping jaw is opened by the cam 32.

The stamp feeding mechanism in so far as the withdrawal of the stamps from the magazine and the application of paste thereto are concerned, is substantially the same as that shown and claimed in the application of George XV. Gwinn, filed on or about the 20th day of May, 1914, Serial No. 839,835, in which case the stamp was fed directly onto the package. In the present instance the pasted stamp is fed out onto a support or table which is tllenlotated to carry the stamp into line with the package, the package as it is moved contacting with the central exposed portion of the stamp and withdrawing it from the support. A plurality of such supports are preferably provided so that the machine may be given a high speed.

Secured to and extending upwardly from the table are two vertical columns iS-43 to the upper ends of which is secured a cross frame -l-l having vertical slide ways formed therein for the reception of a plate 45. To the forward face of the plate is secured the stamp magazine 4G the forward face whereof is preferably open while the bottom is cut away or formed with an opening to exposethe central portion of the lowermost stamp to the withdrawing rolls. The magazine is shown in Fig. 2 as partly filled with stamps designated by 17 and a follower weight. 48 is preferably placed o n top, of the pileito hold the stamps in place and incoactive relation with the two withdrawing rollers 49. Said rolls are constantly rotated through gearing presently described and it is therefore necessary to raise and lower the magazine toward and from the same to effect the complete withdrawal of one stamp before another is acted on by the rolls. To this end the following devices are employed. Mounted in suitable hangers 50, Fig. l, is a shaft 51 to which is secured a bevel gear 5L) which meshes with a gear 5ft/ See Fig. S). Said shaft has secured to it a cam 54, and a roller carried by a lever 56 journalcd at its opposite end ou a fixed shaft 5T works in the groove of said cam. Fulcrumed upon the upper end of an upwardly Y extending post 58 is a lever 59 said lever being connected to lever 56 by a connecting rod 60. The free end of lever 59 projects outwardly in rear of the upwardly extending portion of frame 44 and a pin 61 extending therefrom passes through an opening in frame 44 and into a slot formed in the lower end of slide 45.

Cam 54 is so formed as to lift the magazine after the lowermost stamp has been partially withdrawn by rolls 49 and to maintain it in such position until the parts are again ready to receive another stamp.

The stamps are adapted to be withdrawn one by one and pasted along one face thereof, the stamps being spread out with the pasted face in contact with supporting and transfer plates which are open at the center 'so that the oncoming package may contact with the stamp thus supported and withdraw the same from the plates.

Extending upwardly from the table, (see Figs. 1 and 11) is a column 62 to which there is pivoted upon a ystud or bolt 63, a lever 64 and also a bell-crank 65. Lever 64 is raised and lowered through a rod 66 the lower end of which (see Fig. 2) is connected to a lever 67 fulcrumed on shaft 57. Lever 67 carries a' roll 68 which works in the groove of a caml 69 secured upon shaft 51. Lever 64 carries at its outer end a combined guide and label stripper comprising an arm 70 which at its lower end is broadened out and extended later-- ally and to which lateral extension are secured two fingers 71 and 72. Said fingers are thin, are separated at their upper ends and converge toward the central portion, the lower ends standing a slight distance apart in parallel relation (see Figs. 1, 2 and 11). A link 70 pivotally connected to the upper end of bell-crank 65 and to ther upper end of arm 70 tends to maintain the guide and stripper in its vertical position as it is raised and lowered by lever 64. The paste is applied to the stamp by belts, four in number, and arranged in pairs.

by and 76.

Belts 73-74 pass about 2 and 3, having two grooves for their reception and likewise at posite bight thereof about a pair of pulleys or wheels 78 and 79.

Belts 75 and 76 pass about similar pulleys and wheels bearing similar' numerals with the exponent a. imposed thereon.

lVheels 78 and 79, and 78L and 792l are so spaced as to permit the stripper and guide fingers 71-72 to pass down between them arfd between the adjacent portions of the belts and to strip the stamp from the belts in the manner hereinafter set forth.

Pulley 77 is mounted on a shaft 80 and pulley 77a on a shaft 81, and each of said a pulley 77, Figs. formed therein the opgrooved Y f One' pair is designated nby 73-74 and the other.

shafts, see Fig. 3, has secured to it a bevel gear 82 and 83, respectively. which mesh with similar gears 84 secured upon a shaft 85. Shaft 85 has secured to it a pinion 8 which meshes with a pinion 87. Fig. 2, which latter derives its motionthrough a sprocket wheel 88, mounted on its hub and driven by a chain 89. The sprocket chain in turn is driven froln a sprocket 90, Figs. 1, 2 and 9, secured upon shaft 2.

Each of the shafts and 81, carries a pinion 91 and meshes with a gear 92 secured upon a shaft 93 which shaft also carries two paste transfer rolls 94-95, Fig. 3. The peripheries are slightly rougheiied or milled and lightly Contact with the overlying paste applying belts 7 3-74 and 75-76 Said rolls 94-95 dip intothe paste or other suitable adhesive contained in the reservoirs or boxes 96.

vThe wheels 78, 79 and 78a and 79ay are fast to shafts 97 and,` 98 respectively, said shafts finding their bearing in adjustable brackets 99 secured to a fixed cross bar 100, i

see Fig. 10.

Said shafts 97 and 98 carry intermeshing driving gears 101 and 102, and the latter is in mesh with a gear 103. The shaft 104 upon which gear 103 is secured likewise carries a worm wheel 105 which meshpers with a worm 106 secured upon shaft 85. he stamp withdrawing rollers 49, see Figs. 1 and 10 are secured upon shafts 107 and 108 the latter carrying a gear 109 which meshes with gear 103 and'receives motion therefrom. Shaft 1 08 also carries a smaller gear 110 which meshes with a similar-gear 111 secured to shaft 107.

vFrom the foregoing it will be seen that all of the belt supporting rolls and pulleys and the stamp withdrawing rolls are operated from the common driving shaft 85. The stamps as above'noted are drawn one at a time from the stamp-magazine by the constantly rotating withdrawing rolls 49, the central portion of the lowermost stamp` being caught between said rollers, doubled upon itself and carried downwardly between the rolls and directed between the paste applying belts by the combined guide and stripper. As the stamp is withdrawn from the magazine, the latter is raised to carry the next succeeding stamp free of the rolls and as the bend in the stamp passes between and beyond the paste applying belts the stripper is raised, see Figs. 6 and l5.

The folded stamp as it passes down between the belts has paste applied in lines on the under or outermost face thereof and to provide means for arresting and transferring the stamp into line with the package carrier. the following.mechanism is employed. I

llxtending upwardly from the hed 1 upon opposite sides ofthe track 37 are posts or columns 112 and 112". In each of these columns is journaled a shaft designated by 113 and 118n respectively, each shaft carrying a sprocket wheel 114, 11-.L. at its outer end and deriving its motion through sprocket chains 115, 115, and sprockets 116 and 116n securcd upon the counter shaft 5, which shaft, as will be recalled, has a step by step rotation imparted to it.

To the inner adjacent ends of each of the shafts 113, 113a is secured a spider frame having in the form shown four radiating arms designated by 117, and to the other end of each' arm is secured a flat plate 118. The outer face of said plates are given a smooth or burnished finish, and the proximate ends of each pair are separated a distance somewhat greater than the width of.

the package carrier and the package to which the stamps are applied. Each pair of plates may be said to comprise a transfer table or support upon which the pasted stamp is rolled out,`and by which it is carried into line with the package end to which it is to be applied.

Inasmucl as the stamp is carried downwardly in a folded or doubled condition by the paste belts in line with the opening between the plates, means is provided for a-rresting the stamp, said means taking the form of a narrow blade 119. Said blade is secured upon the outer end of an arm 120 fixed to a rocker shaft 121 which finds its bearings in the columns 43. A second arm or lever 122 is secured to said shaft, the free end of the lever, see Figs. 2 and 4, overlying one of a series of equally spaced cams, 123 carried by the hub of sprocket 114. The part-s are so timed that the upper edge of plate 119 is carried up into alinement with the then uppermost pla-tes 118 so that the downwardly moving stamp, see Figs. 2, 5 and G, contacts therewith, is arrested thereby, and is carried outwardly by the paste applying belts and laid upon the plates or two-part table. 'hen this is effected, shafts 113 and 113a are given-a-quarter turn and at the beginning o'f such movement the then uppermost cam 123 rides from beneath lever 122 and permits blade 119 to drop away from the central portion of the stamp. By reason of the .fact that only a narrow edge or surface of said blade is in contact with the stamp,

` and the further fact that it contacts with the stamp between the lines of paste applied to the stamp, there is no tendency for the blade to stick to the stamp and to draw the same inwardly or downwardly between the plates 118 upon which thc. stamp is laid out.

lipon the completion ofthe quarter revolution of the stamp carrier the pasted stamp comes to rest in the position shown in Figs. l` 2 and 8. standing forward of the package and inrcar of the package clamping lever or member 28 which is al such time thrown open by the fixed cam 32. The package. carrier is of course at rest at such time so that the pasted stamp may be carried into position with the package without ('listurbing the stamp. When the stamp comes to rest in front of the package thc conveyor again begins its movement and the roller 31 rides off cam 32 and allows thespring 34 to draw the clamping jaw into contact with the central portion of the. stamp and to press t-he same firmly against the package end. As the con veyor and the clamped package move forward, see Fig. 7, the stamp is drawn off the plates 118 and carried and pressed into contact with the sides of the package by a pair of oppositely-disposed pressure members, as fixed brushes 124. The carrier, by reason of the step-by-step motion which is imparted thereto, comes to rest with the package between the brushes 124 and the stamp ends dry more or less while thusheld. A succeed? ing pair of brushes 125 receive the package as it is advanced another step and hold the stamp ends; said brushes may be somewhat stiffer than the others.

From brushes 125 the packages are passed between two series of rollers 126, which rollers actto crease or pinch any protruding portion of the stamp which may be left at the edge of the package inwardly toward the clamping jaw 28, so that no portion of the stamp will be left projecting upward beyond the edge of the package. In other words if there be any slack in the stamp which tends to form a projection at each edge of the package such projections when they contact the rolls as the package is advanced forwardly therebetween will be turned inwardly toward the package. It is desirable in the handling of such packages or the packing of such packages into cartons or containers that there be no projections as the stamps or labels are apt. to be torn and such projections interfere with the proper handling and storing of the goods. After leaving the rollers, the packages will preferably pass between o])positely-disposed heaters 127 (preferably electric).

As above indicated. thej'iackages may be fed' into the machine either automatically or by hand, and in Figs. 1, 2 and 12 there is shown a mechanism whereby the packages may hef automatically delivered to the package-advancing or holding means. A feed belt 128 is located at one side of the bed and travels over pulleys 129 and 130. Said belt is designed to deliver the packages sidewise onto an inclined plate or bed 131 supported by a bracket 132, mounted on the bed or table 1. Curved guide bars 133 overlie the rails '185. the ends of the rails adjacent the. plate being slightly curved. rl`he rails at their opposite ends terminate adjacent the supporting element E2() of the cari-ier. so that the packages may be transferred from the plate 131 along the rails 135 and onto the carrier. rl`he plate lfll is provided with an opening through which the plunger lilo may be projected to transfer the overlying package laterally into the package-holder or carrier between the jaws 2l and 28. The jaw 28 is at such time in its retracted position by reason of the' roller 3l. coming in contact with fam 4l, as best shown in Fig. l. The plunger L36 is provided with a rearwardly-projecting guard plate 13T which is carried forwardly with the plunger and serves to hold the next succeeding jiackage from dropping downwardly while the lower most package is heiligA carried forwardly into the paekage- .ariiei'.

The plunger 13G is carried by an arm 139i. fulcrnmed upon 'a shaft 139, mounted in a bracket extending downwardly from the bed or table 1. Shaft 189 also has secured to it asecond arm or lever' 141, and a link 14:2 pivotally connected to the. lower end of said arm is attached to a crank M3. secured tothe shaft 51. From this it will be seen that the plunger 136 acts in timed relation with the other portions of the machine to intro` duce a package into the open holder while the same is at rest and in line therewith.

From the foregoing description it is thought that the operation of the machine will be clearly understood.y and while the structure has been set forth somewhat in detail it is to be understood that it may be modified so long as it falls within the scope of our invention. Thus. for instance` any stamp feeding and pasting niechanism which will apply the paste and impose the stamps upon the rotating table may he employed in lieu of that set forth. So, too, any foim of carrier which will advance the packages into contact with the` pasted stamp and cause the same to strip the stamp from the table or support may likewise be employed though the present form is preferred,

ilates llS may take a form other than that shown such. for instance. as two drum shaped membeis having flattened sides as shown in Fig. lf3.

ft is also conceivable that instead of einploying a` plurality of pairs of plates. a

Ysingle pair may be employed out the form shown is preferred as Ythe use of a single pair would materially slow down the operation of the machine as will be readily appreciated.

Again. while the jaws 2l and 25% of the carrier are both shown of a forni to cooperate with a package having oppositelydisposed. indented ends. it. conceivable that one end only of the j iackage 'may ne indented. or that to which the stamp is applied. in which case the jaw 2l may be shaped to conform to the flat or otherwise formed end of the package. ln fact. pack ages neither lend ofwhich is indented may be stamped with the machine. and the jaws of the clampiinr members modified or not as may be found necessary or desirable,

'llie use of the terni L"package/l7 is not intended to confine the use o f the structure to the particular package shown, butI is employed in a broad sense and in the claims is intended to cover tins, boxes. etc.. except in those instances where` by reason of the structure included, a special form of package alone could be employed.

Having thus described our invention. what we claim is:-

l. ln a machine for applying stamps. the combination of a table; means for applying paste to a stamp andlsimultaneously laying the same in adhesive relation with tne table and with a. portion of such pasted face exposed; package holding means; and means` for securing a relative movement between the table and holding means and causing the exposed portion of the stamp and package to contact whereby the stamp will be stripped from the table.

2. in a machine for applying stamps. they combination of means for receiving the pasted side ot a stamp and holding the same in an extended position by reason of adhesive relation between the stanip and said receiving means: *neans for simultaneously applying paste 'to one side otl the stamp and spreading it ont upon said receiving means: and means for moving the package into contact with the stamp and stripping the stamp from said receiving and holding means.

il. in a machine for applying stamps. the combination of stamp iecei\.'ing means: means for applying adhesive to a stamp throughout its length and sinniltaneonsly placing the pasted side upon said receiving means with a portion of the stamp between its ends exposed; and means for advancing a parl-:age against said fer-posed portion and through a continued movement thereof. stripping the slamp trom said holding means for pasting a stamp and simultaneously placing the pasted face thereof in contact with the receiving means; and means for transferring said receiving means with the stamp thereon into the path of movement of the package sustained b v the package advancing means, whereby the package will contact the pasted stamp and through a continued movement strip the stamp from said receiving means.

(l. In a machine for applying stamps, stamp receiving means; means for applying paste to the stamp and simultaneously7 laying the same out upon said receiving means with the pasted face in Contact with said receiving means, and with a portion of said pasted face exposed; and means for moving' the stamp receiving means into the path of movement of the package carried by the advancing means.

T. ln a stamp applying machine, the combination of means to receive and hold the stamp by reason of the adhesion of the latter thereto, with a portion of the pasted side of the stamp exposed; stamp feeding and pasting means adapted to simultaneously apply paste to the stamp and lay the same directly1 upon the receiving means, said parts being located in juxtaposition; and means for carrying a package into contact with the exposed pasted portion of the stamp.

8. In a machine for applying stamps. a supporting surface for the stamp; means for applying paste to one face of a stamp and laying the stamp in an extended form and in adhesive contact with the supporting surface with a portion of the pasted stamp exposed; means for presenting a package to said exposed pasted portion; and means for securing a relative movement between the. stamp and package whereby the stamp wd be withdrawn from the support and into Contact with the package.

9. In a machine for applying stamps, the combination .of a supporting surface adapted to receive and hold a stamp; means for simultaneously applying paste to one face ot' a. stamp and laying the pasted stamp in an extended form with its ends in adhesive contact with such supporting surfaceand with the center thereof exposed; ineans` for alining a package with said exposed section; and means forV securing a relative movement of the package and the stamp. whereby the stamp will he withdrawn from the support and into contact with the package.

lt). In a machine for applying stamps. the combination of a pair of stamp supporting elements separated at their proximate ends; means for simultaneously applying paste to one face of theA stamp throughout its length, and depositing the same upon the supporting elements in adhesive contact therewith.

11. ln a machine for applying stamps, the combination of a pair of stamp supporting elements separated at their proximate ends and each having a smooth or planished face; and means for applying paste to a stamp and simultaneously placing the ends thereof upon said supporting elements in adhesive contact with the planished faces thereof.

l2. In a machine for applying stamps, the combination of a pair of supporting elements separated-at their proximate ends and each having a smooth or planished face; means for applying paste to the stamp and simultaneously laying the same with the pasted side thereof into adhesive Contact with the planished faces; and means for advancing a package between the proximate ends aforesaid into contact with the stamp and by a continued movement of the package withdraw the stamp from the supporting elements.

13. ln a machine for applying stamps;- the. combination of a pair of supporting elements separated at their proximate ends and each having a smooth or planished face; means for applying paste to one face of the stamp throughout its length and simultaneously placing the same in adhesive relation with the planished faces; means for advancing a package between the proximate ends aforesaid into contact with the stamp. and by a. continued movement of the package withdraw the stamp from the supporting elements; and means acting on the stamp ends to press them into contact with the package.

14. In a machine for applying stamps. the combination of a pair of supporting elements separated at their proximate ends; means for applying paste to the stamp throughout its length and simultaneously placing the ends thereof into adhesive relation upon said supporting elements; package. advancing means; and means for moving the supporting elements with the stamp thereon into alinement with the oncoming face or end of a package presented by said package advancing means.

15. ln a machine for applying stamps, the coml'iination of means for applying paste to the stamp; a pair of stamp receiving and supporting elements separated at their proximate ends: a device located intermediate said ends; stamp pasting and positioning means adapted to fold a stamp and to contact the fold thereof with said intermediate device and to then carry the ends of the. stamp outwardly and lay the pasted face thereof in contact with the supporting elements: and means acting to remove the intermediate device from contact with the central portion of the pasted stamp.

1G. In a machine for applying stamps. the combination of a pair of stamp receiving elements separated at their proximate ends;

means bridging the space between said ends: means for placing a pasted stamp upon said receiving elements and over the bridging means; package presenting means; and means for removing said bridging means out of contact with the stamp and moving the supporting elements such distance as to bring the stamp carried thereby into line with the package advanced by said presenting means, whereby upon continued advancing movement of the package the stamp will be withdrawn thereby from the receiving elements. v

1T. In a machine for applying stamps, the combination of a stamp magazine; a stamp receiving and transferring mechanism located beneath the same; means for imparting a step-by-step rotation thereto; stamp withdrawing and pasting means arranged to withdraw the stamps, one by one, and place the same in adhesive contact with the receiving transferring mechanism; a package presenting mechanism; and means, working in timed relation to the stamp presenting mechanism, to cause an advance movement of the package advancing mechanism.

1S. In a machine for applying Stamps, the combination of a stamp magazine; a structure presenting a plurality of stamp receiving surfaces, said surfaces having an .open space therein; means for imparting a stepby-step rotative movement to said structure; means for withdrawing stamps one by one from the magazine; means for applying paste to one face of the stamps and spreading them out at the receiving surfaces with the stamp bridging the space aforesaid; and means for successively advancing packages through said stamp re- -ceiving structure and into contact with the exposed pasted portion of the stamps as they are brought into the path of movement of the packages.

19. In a machine for applying stamps, the combination of a stamp magazine; two spider frames located below the same with horizontally disposed aligning supporting shafts; a plurality of plates secured to each frame, the plates of one frame aligning with those of the other in pairs; with the proximate ends of cach pair separated; means for imparting a step by step rotation to said frames; a bridge piece; means for raising said bridge )iece into the space between the ends ot tlie then uppermost pair of plates; means for withdrawing a. stamp from the magazine and folding the same back upon itself as withdrawn: paste applying mechanism adapted to grasp the stamp. to project the folded portion thereof against thc bridge piecer` and to carry the ends laterallybiito the plates; a package holder; and means for advancing the holder and the package therein through the intervening s; ice between the stamp supporting plates when said plates with the stamp thereon'are moved into alinement with said carrier.

2t). In a machine for applying stamps, the combination of a support adapted to receive the pasted side of a stamp, said support having a space or opening therein; means for applying paste throughout the length of one face of the stamp and simul- .taneously placing the pasted side thereof in contact with the support; and means for passing a package through said opening and into Contact with the pasted face of the stamp.

2l. In a machine for applying stamps, thc combination of means for applying paste to a stamp; a support adapted to receive the 4pasted side of the stamp and to temporarily hold the same with a portion of said pasted side exposed; a carrier comprising a series of package holders, each holder having a movable clamping jaw adapted to contact with the package; means to temporarily open said jaw; and means for moving the stamp support to carry the exposed portion of the stamp between thejaw and the adjacent end of the package.

22. In a machine for stamping packages the combination of means for applying paste to a stamp; a support-adapted to receive and temporarily hold such stamp by the adhesion of the pasted face of the stamp and. leaving a portion of such pasted face exposed; a carrier comprising a series of package holders each having a moval'ile clamping jaw adapted to contact with the package; means for moving the stamp support to carry the exposed portion of the stamp between the jaw and the package; means for advancing the carrier and causing the `iaw to clamp the stamp and upon further movement to draw the stamp from its support; and means for pressing the ends ot the stamp against the package.

23. ln a machine for stamping packages7 the combination of means for pasting one face of a stamp and simultaneously imposing the ends of such pasted face upon a support with the central pasted portion exposed; a package carrier; means for advancing the same and causing the package to contact with the exposed pasted surface of the stamp and thereby stripping the stamp from its support: and means for pressing the ends of the stamp against the package.

24, ln a machine for applying stamps to packages. the combination of an endless carrier having a series of package holders. each holder comprising a supporting member` a fixed jaw. a movable jaw, and a spring for drawing said movable jaw toward the fixed liavv: means for advancing said carrier step b v step; means for temporarily opening the movable jaws when they reach a i'nedetermined point in their path of travel; means for placing and-holding a pasted stamp between said open jaw and the package in the holder: means Jfor advancing the carrier and causing the package to strip the stamp from said holding means, and means for pressing the ends ot the stamp against the package as the holder and package are advanced upon a further movement of the carrier.

Q5. ln a machine Jfor applying stamps to packages, the combina-tion otl an endless carrier having a series package-holders, each holdei comprising ia support. a fixed jaw and a spring-pressed movable jaw; a plurality of cams arranged in line with the run of the carrier for opening said movable jaws at a paclnige-receiving position` a packagedischarging position and an intermediate stamp-placing position; means for placing a pasted stamp between the package and the then open jaw at the stamp-placing posit-ion of the carrier: and means Jfor pressing the ends of the stamp against the package as the carrier is moved forward.

26. 1n a. machine for stamping packages having an indented end, the com ination ot a package-holder; means for placing a stamp over the indented end of the package; means carried by the package-holder for pressing that portion of the stamp which overlies the indented portion inwardly against such indented portion; means for pressing the'` ends ot the stamp against the package; and rollers acting against the stamp at the corner or edge ot the package.

2T. .In a machine for stamping packages having an indented end, the combination ot a package-holder; means for placing a stamplover said indented end; a clamping iaw carried by the package-holder contacting with the central portion ot the stamp and carrying it into contact with the indented face of the package; means for pressing the ends ot' the stamp against the sides ot' the package; and a serios of rollers arranged to act on the stamp adjacent the corners of the package.

2H. ln a machine for stamping packages, the con'ibination of an endless carrier having a. series ot package holders embodying a fixed and a spring pressed jaw. said jaws being shaped to enter the indented ends of a package held between the same; means for advancing the carrier step by step; a rotatable stamp presenter having a space through which the holders and packages may pass; means Jfor successively placing stamps thereon in adhesive relation; means working in timed relation to the carrier advancing means. tor imparting a step by step rotation to the stamp presenter; means for successively opening the clamping jaws aforesaid when the same come into line with the stamp presenter and allowing said jaws to close when a stamp has been positioned and the carrier again moves Jforward; and

means located along the path ot travel ot the carrier for ausing adherence ot the stamp ends` to the package.

2S). 1n a machine for applying stampsI to packages, the combination ot an endless carrier having a series ot package-holders. each holder comprising a support, a fixed jaw and a spring-pressed movable jaw; a plurality ot' cams arranged in line with the run ot the carrier for opening said jaws at a package-receiving position` a package-discharging position, andl an intermediate stamp-placing position; means for feeding packages successively into the carriers at a package-receiving position; means Afor placing a pasted stamp between the package and the then open jaw at the stamp-placing position of the carrier; and means for pressing the ends of the stamp against the package as the carrier is moved forwardly.

30. In a stamp-applying machine the combination of stamp pasting means;

means for holding the pasted stamp in ex-` tended position; package-carrying means; means forming part of said carrying means Jfor pressing a section of the stamp against the package; and means for wiping the remainder of the stamp against the package.

3l. 1n a stamp-applying machine, the combination of means for holding a pasted stamp in extended position; package-carrying means; means -forming part ot said carrying` means for pressing a section 'of the stamp against the package; means for wiping the remainder of the stamp against the package; and means for creasing the stamp invardly at the edges of the package.

32. 1n a stamp-applying machine, the combination ot means for holding a pasted stamp in an extended position; package-carrying means including an element adapted to press the stamp intermediate its ends into contact with the package; means for wiping the ends of. the stamp against the package; and rollers acting upon the stamp where it is bent over the, edges of the package to crease or pinch any projecting portion of the stamp inwardly. 33. 1n a stamp applying means, bination of means jfor receiving and a pasted stamp in an extended position; means for applying paste to a stamp and simultaneously placing the same in adhesive relation with said receiving means; means for securing a relative movement between said parts, whereby the stamp may be exposed to a package; and package presenting means, adapted upon a relative movement the comholdm g ot the package and stamp receiving means,`

to strip the stam from the latter.

ln testimony w erectE we have signed our names to this specification.

GEQRGE YVLBUR GiVlNN. JAMES W. LEARY. 

